I was speechless about my landlord’s bizarre rental request … opinion is divided

A WOMAN has revealed how she was speechless by her landlord’s bizarre rental request – but people are divided.

Evie Muir took to Twitter after she and her roommates were stunned by a text message their landlord sent them after they paid their monthly rent.

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She said, “Our landlord raised our rent and … speechless.”

The message from the landlord read: “Tomorrow together. Thanks for the rental payments.

“However, the sum was 50 pence too short.

“No big deal, but if you could correct next month’s payment that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.”

Evie’s followers were divided over the confusing WhatsApp message.

While some called the landlord’s demands unreasonable, others disagreed.

Lucy said, “You can hardly buy two Freddos for 50p.”

Another said: “Give him next month’s rent entirely in cents.”

Others said the news was fair and said Evie should have paid the correct amount.

One said: “Are you so skinny you have to keep 50p?”

Ell said: “You wouldn’t go to Asda expecting to pay 50p less than the total bill.”

Here we walk you through your rights as a renter if your landlord makes an unexpected request:

1. You cannot be charged any administration costs or renewal fees

Real estate agents and landlords are prohibited from charging tenants additional fees to cover administrative costs, such as B. for the extension of a tenancy.

Other fees they cannot pass on to renters include viewing a property, conducting reference checks and requiring a guarantor.

The Tenant Fees Act was introduced to prevent tenants from being ripped off with the extortionate fees, which can add up to hundreds of pounds on top of moving costs.

The ban has applied to new leases since June 2019 and to existing leases from June 2020.

Agents risk a £5,000 fine for breaking the rules and could face court if they re-offend, with the penalty extended to up to £30,000.

Renters who feel they have been wrongly charged can complain to their local council, which Shelter says has the power to fine a landlord or agent.

If the landlord or agent refuses to refund you the fee, tenants can appeal to the First Tier Tribunal provided they agree that the fee was wrongly charged.

Your council can advise you on how to complain to the arbitral tribunal.

2. Deposits are limited to five weeks rental

Under the Tenant Fees Act, landlords and real estate agents are limited to charging tenants a rental deposit of up to five weeks.

If you have paid more than this amount on your deposit, say six weeks, you now have the right to request a refund of any monies in excess of five weeks’ worth.

For example, if your rent is set at £150 per week, the deposit equal to 6 weeks’ rent is £900. But you can reclaim £150 of that.

You will need to speak to your landlord directly to ask them to refund the money.

3. You may be entitled to a payout if your landlord refuses to make repairs

Your landlord is responsible for most repairs that need to be made to your home.

According to housing organization Shelter, this includes fixing problems with electrical wiring, gas lines and boilers, heating and hot water, sinks, bathrooms and toilets.

Tenants are responsible for repairing their own equipment, such as a fridge or freezer, if the apartment is rented unfurnished.

You may be entitled to compensation from your landlord if they fail to carry out repair work within a reasonable time or if poor conditions make your home uninhabitable.

This can take the form of a rent reduction or a payment. If your landlord agrees, Shelter recommends that you put this in writing.

If your landlord doesn’t agree, tenants can take legal action to claim compensation either during the tenancy or after it ends.

You must have reported the problem to your landlord during your tenancy, and you have up to six years to make a claim.

It comes after a woman was horrified after finding a rat climbing out of her toilet – but her landlord said she lied.

Elle Silvester, 20, of Canterbury in Kent, found rats drowning in her toilet bowl two days in a row in December.